Join our all-encompassing discussion with World Champion OCR Racer Amelia Boone. We discuss everything from writing, where to run in Cupertino, CA, experiences at Barkley, her High Lonesome 100 finish and resulting injury, recovery from eating disorders, and her feelings on not having children. It was a powerful, honest, and open discussion that Jon loves to showcase on the podcast. Hope y'all enjoy!

Check out Amelia's Substack.

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A world champion who won’t hide the mess—that’s why this conversation with Amelia Boone hits so hard. We start with the light stuff—Pikes Peak crowds, race-directing curveballs, and the kind of trail etiquette that makes you laugh later—and then move into the stories that define a life in motion. Amelia brings sharp insight on writing and why useful race reports still matter, the pivot from obstacle racing to ultras, and what happens when early success meets lessons your bones won’t let you ignore.

From High Lonesome’s “fall in front of the photographer” moment to finding out later it was a patella fracture, Amelia talks through risk management, fueling choices at altitude, and the unglamorous truth of hypothermia prevention: taped seams, gloves, and respecting the weather. We head into the fog of Barkley, where briars, cliffs, and veterans’ wisdom matter more than any GPS track. The mystique isn’t an accident—it’s the point—and the community around the campfire is as real as the miles.

The heart of the episode is honesty. Amelia shares why she spoke publicly about her eating disorder, what recovery looks like in daily practice, and how ultrarunning can become a healthier exchange—fueling for function, choosing presence over perfection, and refusing to let a calorie calculator run your life. We also talk about the layered grief of not having children, the space between binary labels, and how to build meaning through mentorship, community, and showing up for others. The takeaway is simple and hard: stop gripping so tight to outcomes, take care of your body, and savor the moments that last—like singing down a final descent with someone you love.

If this conversation moved you, follow, share with a friend, and leave a review. Tell us what lesson you’re taking to your next long run—we’re reading every word.

Thanks for listening to Running With Problems. Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems. DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at podcast@runningwithproblems.run.

Hosted by Jon Eisen (@mildly_athletic) and Miranda Williamson (@peaksandjustice). Edited by Jon Eisen. Theme music by Matt Beer.

Join Miranda and Jon as they discuss Run-cations (a portmanteau of Run and Vacation!) and Miranda's recent experience running the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Links:

• More than Miles: Why Runcations are a Rising Travel Trend article on Outside
• Eric Lee's Blog on Adventures and National Park Runs

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Miranda and Jon dive into the world of "runcations" – vacations centered around running adventures – sharing experiences from Tour de Mont Blanc and discussing what makes these journeys both challenging and transformative.

• Runcations can take many forms: destination races, multi-day trail adventures, national park runs
• Different styles suit different runners – from luxury accommodations to more rugged experiences
• Community and shared experiences are central to what makes runcations special
• The Tour de Mont Blanc crosses through France, Italy, and Switzerland with distinct cultural experiences in each
• Running through multiple countries allows you to experience dramatic differences in trail marking, food, and architecture
• Finding balance between challenge and enjoyment is key – it's not about racing but experiencing
• Technical skills like downhill running may require practice before tackling alpine trails
• Flexibility matters – sometimes taking a gondola or shuttle enhances rather than diminishes the experience
• Proper fueling becomes crucial when running multiple big days back-to-back
• Switzerland has the best homemade ice cream and the most whimsical trail decorations

Find a group of people who you want to spend four or five days with running. Plan a runcation. Make it happen. You won't regret it. Be open to the experience, be open to how it changes you and how it shapes you, and enjoy the journey.

Thanks for listening to Running With Problems. Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems. DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at podcast@runningwithproblems.run.

Hosted by Jon Eisen (@mildly_athletic) and Miranda Williamson (@peaksandjustice). Edited by Jon Eisen. Theme music by Matt Beer.

Join us as we chat with Aaron Lozier, who comes back to the podcast after attempting the LA Freeway for the second time. Last time, he had to be rescued via helicopter. Listen in to hear how the second attempt goes.

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After being dramatically rescued from the LA Freeway last year, Aaron Lozier returns to share his redemption story on one of Colorado's most formidable mountain challenges. The LA Freeway isn't a highway in Los Angeles—it's a brutal 35-mile technical traverse connecting Longs Peak to Arapaho Peak across at least 19 summits, featuring exposed ridgelines and class five climbing sections.

Aaron takes us through his year-long journey from failure to success, detailing how he processed the shame of rescue and rebuilt his approach through extensive scouting trips and mindset work. His story reveals profound lessons about preparation, as he meticulously studied routes, developed personal rules like "if you find yourself on unexpected fifth-class terrain, you're off route," and assembled the perfect three-person team for his second attempt.

The expedition itself unfolds like a thriller, from strong early progress to hallucinations and near-breakdowns during the 36-hour journey. Aaron candidly shares moments of doubt when facing technical sections in darkness ("at night, it's an abyss"), water challenges solved by his teammate's brilliant syringe innovation, and the infamous "jump" section that everyone mysteriously forgets exists. His vulnerability in describing mental struggles brings us directly onto those exposed ridgelines alongside him.

What makes this story truly special is Aaron's evolved perspective on achievement. Rather than focusing on proving critics wrong, he embraced "proving people right"—honoring those who believed in him. This shift transformed his experience from personal redemption into shared accomplishment, creating a powerful framework for approaching our own challenges.

Listen now to experience this remarkable comeback story that will inspire your own relationship with failure, preparation, and the mountains that call to us despite their difficulties.

Thanks for listening to Running With Problems. Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems. DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at podcast@runningwithproblems.run.

Hosted by Jon Eisen (@mildly_athletic) and Miranda Williamson (@peaksandjustice). Edited by Jon Eisen. Theme music by Matt Beer.